Two of the busiest, most sought-after leading men are set to share the screen at last. Variety reports Jeremy Renner is in negotiations to join Bradley Cooper in director David O. Russell’s next untitled drama, formerly working under “American Bullshit.” Christian Bale had previously been slated to star opposite Cooper but fell out.

The film will follow the real life political drama Abscam, which was set up by the FBI in the 1970s and 80s. Cooper will play Mel Weinberg, a con artist who was forced into doing undercover work for the FBI to catch corrupt political officials. Renner will play the FBI agent who busts him and turns him into an ally. The Abscam investigation ultimately culminated in the conviction of a United States Senator and five members of the House of Representatives, all of whom were videotaped making illegal deals with the undercover Weinberg. A February 2013 start date is scheduled.

Renner, who recently appeared in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and “The Avengers”, has one more blockbuster actioner to go this year, “The Bourne Legacy”, in which he takes the mantle from Matt Damon as an amnesiac government operative gone rogue. He has also wrapped up filming on fairy tale revision “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” and an untitled drama opposite Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix.